Page 41 of The Parent Playbook
The team falls into formation, albeit grudgingly, and I start drilling the essentials back into them with a series of defensive positioning exercises.
Okay, grounding for a month might be too harsh. But the punishment has to match the offense. Does Angel think I’m too strict?
“Where are you sending the forwards?” Doug points across the ice. “Was that clump part of your formation?”
One foot in each world, it’s hard to keep up with drills and decide if what Lily’s going through is normal or a problem.
And then there was that moment Angel’s lips brushed mine.
I can’t forget that either.
“Scotty, focus! We need to tighten up these transitions,” Doug snaps, pulling me back to the present.
But I’m a father first. Lily needs me now, and whatever this is with Angel will have to wait until I figure out exactly what is going on in that wild preteen head of hers.
“Slice left, Dan!” I call out, but it’s too late. He missed the assist.
I’ve got to keep my head in the game. If the Ice Breakers make a mess of things, then a lot of these decisions will be taken out of my hands, anyway.
I don’t know how to do it all.
And I definitely don’t know how to do it all alone.
CHAPTER 17
ANGEL
Since yesterday, Scotty’s words echo in my head—as if it’s Andy’s fault that Lily joined in on his quest.
How can he think my Andy is the problem when Lily’s clearly got a mind of her own?
Goes to show, even the good ones like Scotty come with their own set of annoyances. That’s exactly why I’m leery of this whole romance business.
Honestly, the whole concept of dating is absurd to me. It’s like voluntarily signing up for a job you’re not qualified for, and it pays in emotional turmoil. Who needs that? I’m finally getting Happy Horizons on the map, and instead of basking in a job well done, I’m navigating minefields of misdirected parental blame and budding feelings I didn’t order.
Just when I think I’ve found someone who might actually be capable of understanding the chaotic symphony that is my life, they go and pin a kid’s mistake on how I raised him. That’s basically what he was saying, right?Hehas to give guidance.Hehas to teach her a lesson. What does he think I’m doing?
So much for no strings attached. If Scotty can make a snap judgment like that, what other surprises are waitingdown the line?
No, this is exactly why I’d rather stick to kids running wild in giant puddles of muck all over the ranch. At least they don’t throw curveballs over lunch.
Or should I say, slapshots …
Ugh!I’m making dad jokes to myself now? Abouthockey?
What has this man done to me?
Andy’s head pops out from his room, his expression sheepish but determined. I set my coffee down, prepping for a mother-son showdown.
“Mom, about yesterday …” he starts, trailing off as he catches the look on my face.
“Yes, you’re in trouble,” I declare, but my heart isn’t in it. I’m more curious than angry now. “What exactly was Lily’s part in this? Tell me the truth, Andy.”
He sighs, stepping fully into the hallway, the weight of the world seeming to rest on his twelve-year-old shoulders. “I know I’m in trouble, but you should know … it was mostly my idea. Lily went along with it.”
I raise an eyebrow, my arms folding. “Why did you drag her into your antics, Mr. Revolutionary?”
Andy looks down, then back up at me with those earnest eyes that remind me so much of my own mother. “She’s been really down. She doesn’t have her mom around, and I thought if she felt like she was part of something important here, it’d help. Like a family, you know?”
